The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas has officially delisted one of its conversion partners, Charles Goriola Yakub of C & L Smart Energy Limited, following confirmed reports of misconduct involving the unauthorised sale of government-provided conversion kits.
It also warned of impending legal action against what it describes as a “sponsored smear campaign” aimed at discrediting its operations, vowing not to succumb to blackmail or public intimidation.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Technical Adviser on Stakeholder Management and Public Engagement, Kenechukwu Chukwu, revealed that the delisted partner, based in Lokogoma, Abuja, was implicated in the illegal sale of government-funded CNG conversion kits, which were intended to be installed at no cost for commercial vehicle operators.
The kits were reportedly sold at exorbitant prices ranging from N200,000 to as high as N1.2 million.
The statement added that the operator, apparently disgruntled by the delisting, orchestrated a coordinated online and media campaign aimed at the Presidential Initiative.
In response, PCNGI said it is preparing legal and law enforcement responses to what it termed “electronic blackmail and cyberbullying,” and warned that those involved would be held accountable for their public claims.
PCNGI reaffirmed that it does not handle procurement or award contracts directly and operates as a facilitative body in collaboration with relevant government agencies.
The statement reads, “The attention of the management of the Presidential CNG Initiative has been drawn to the sponsored smear attack campaign by a certain group known as the Independent Conversion Sector. The known individual behind the group is Mr Charles Goriola Yakub of C & L Smart Energy Limited, Lokogoma, Abuja.
“Records show that C & L Smart Energy was part of the PCNGI Conversion Incentive Program up until December 2024, when it was suspended due to sharp practices of selling government kits otherwise meant to be installed for free for commercial operators at prices ranging from N200,000 to N1.2m. PCNGI investigation backed with video evidence and documentation was extensive, and several operators who fell victim to the sharp practices of Mr. Charles and his company came forward, some of whom also had their vehicles damaged.
“PCNGI took decisive actions against sharp practices to sanitize the system and has since referred the case for further investigation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. We take the integrity of the program seriously. As an intervention program, PCNGI does not award contracts or procure by itself, it depends on other MDAs to do so, to focus on its core role of promotion and enablement.
“We remain focused on this mission. And implore the Press and public to avoid the needless distraction. In due course, legal actions and reports to law enforcement on the ongoing electronic blackmail and cyberbullying by the subject will also be made. We hope they’re ready to defend their spurious claims in public.
“We thank the public for their abiding support for the program and promise to continue to deliver clean, cheap, and reliable transportation powered by CNG and EV vehicles for all Nigerians in line with our mandate. We shall not relent.”
